Before the Storm

Meanwhile, the heroes, after hearing about the fact that the miniature instrument was created by the elves, were resting because the next day they would depart for the capital to find out what was really going on.

"Who would've thought that the ancestors of the elves could create the same instrument just by observing it? They're truly incredible at magic," said the spear user, leaning against the wall with both arms as a pillow behind his head. "I understand now why they didn't want to talk about it with the other races. It reminds me of what that person said. All of this really is strange, like something is missing—something we've never realized until now."

Aldean let out a sigh. "It's not that we didn't realize it. We did, but we chose to ignore it, because at the time, pretending not to know seemed like the right thing to do."

The muscular one nodded in agreement. "He's right. We've grown too comfortable to even try seeking the truth. Meanwhile, the heroes of the past would keep fighting no matter how difficult the path ahead. Even though he seemed cruel, that person was actually kind and truly cared about all of us. When we meet again, I'm going to thank him."

Elyssa still clearly remembered how she was beaten up by him mercilessly, shuddering at the thought of meeting him again. "I don't know if I could do that. Just thinking about him scares me."

The spear user laughed nervously.

He too still remembered how powerless he had been against someone other than Aldean. And worse, he hadn't even had a chance to strike back. "I agree. Even if his intentions were good, his methods were quite rough. He even kicked the elf council!"

The muscular one laughed at that. "That was their fault for interfering without understanding their own strength. If they'd been hit by one of our attacks, they wouldn't have survived. So we should thank him!" he said excitedly, unable to wait to meet him again.

He couldn't remember the last time he felt like this.

Like he'd found a leader worth following.

"Whatever the reason, what he did was too much. You shouldn't just go around kicking council members who only wanted to lend a hand. They were just concerned. Surely there was a better way," said Aldean as he entered the room. "I'm going to rest now. Don't stay up too long—we have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Elyssa followed after saying good night, with the spear user trailing behind shortly after, leaving the muscular one alone with the short-haired girl who had been quiet the entire time.

"Aren't you going to rest, Alya?" asked the muscular one.

She was silent for a moment before replying, "I keep thinking about how someone like me—known as the fastest in the capital—could be beaten by him. It was as if he was way faster than me. Far, far faster. It made me feel so slow."

"You know the saying, 'there's always a sky above the sky'? Just because you're the fastest in the capital doesn't mean you're the fastest in the world. There are heroes from other races out there we haven't even met. Maybe they're weaker, maybe stronger. Nothing is certain in this world, Alya—unless you're no longer bound."

"Not bound?" she asked, confused.

He nodded. "When you're no longer bound by the world, those rules don't apply. If you ask me why, I'm not sure I can explain it properly—I don't even fully understand it myself. But my late father once told me that if someone breaks free from the world's bindings, they become something extraordinary—something beyond human understanding. A being equal to or even greater than the gods. Someone who plays by their own rules, as if life itself is in their hands."

"You believe such a thing exists?" the short-haired girl asked again.

"It's not about believing or not—it's more about opening your perspective. Seeing the world from more than just one angle."

Alya was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is that why you want to thank him, even though he made us lose consciousness?"

The muscular one laughed again. "That's part of it. I'm sure he did that for a reason. I believe someone like him—no matter how cruel and cold he may seem—actually has the softest heart among us."

But Alya couldn't imagine that at all.

All she could picture was his arrogant, infuriating smirk that still made her blood boil. At the same time, her body trembled at the thought of going through that again.

"Get some rest. Don't stay out too long. Like Aldean said, we have a long journey tomorrow," she said before heading inside, leaving the muscular one alone, staring up at the sky and wondering what was going on in the capital.

If he was there now, something was definitely happening—something big. There's no way the capital would remain peaceful.

He could only hope that the citizens were safe, especially his family.

Meanwhile, Cerno, already in his room, sat silently at his desk with his head resting on one hand, thinking about how he could approach the elf captain who had stolen his heart at first sight.

He never thought he'd meet his beloved here.

If only he'd known about the elf captain earlier, he would've tried to approach her sooner. Maybe they'd already be together—not just as friends, but as a couple.

At the same time, he was worried about what might happen in the capital, especially since he had no qualms about destroying a library just to take him away.

That person was like a raging storm.

Wherever he went, chaos followed.

What worried him most was sensing the seal on the library wall being completely destroyed—something only two people could have done: the Great Mage or him.

But why?

He was already here.

What else could they possibly need in the library?

Ever since then, an uneasy feeling kept nagging at his heart, refusing to let him rest, until eventually he decided to go for a walk outside the grand building kindly loaned to them by one of the elf council members.

Many of the elven citizens who had evacuated earlier had returned. Some of them were still seen wandering the city, helping the soldiers clean up the mess—especially the large, deep hole that had been covered with a magic circle to prevent anyone from falling in.

No one knew how deep it was, and no one wanted to find out.

One thing was certain—if anyone fell in, their fate would be grim.

"Oh, you're still up?" asked the captain, suddenly appearing and startling Cerno.

"Y-you too? What are you doing up at this hour?" he replied nervously.

Cerno clenched both fists tightly, surprised at how out of control he was acting—like a teenager experiencing love for the first time.

"I'm the captain. Of course I should lead them. I can't rest while they're working—that wouldn't be the sign of a good leader," she explained calmly, eyes scanning the soldiers to make sure everything was running smoothly.

He cleared his throat a few times. "Of course. My apologies. I was just a bit surprised."

The captain smiled, and Cerno's heart pounded like the drums of war—but for joy. "It's all right. After what we went through today, it's only natural to still feel tense. Even I'm just trying to look calm in front of them."

Hearing that, Cerno used ice magic to create a beautiful flower that he thought suited the captain—strong, resilient, but also beautiful. "I know this might not help much… but I wanted to at least do something, even just a little."

The captain was surprised to receive it—she never expected to be given a flower, especially an ice flower, from a human.

Her smile widened and her pointed ears flushed red. "Thank you," she said softly.